01a52406_r
05-06-2005
Connie Rikard, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Connie Rikard v. United States Postal Service
01A52406
May 6, 2005
.
Connie Rikard,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A52406
Agency No. 4J-481-0024-05
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely
EEO Counselor contact.
On November 16, 2004, complainant initiated contact with an EEO
Counselor and claimed that she was subjected to discrimination on the
basis of disability when on August 27, 2002, she was sent for a fitness
for duty examination; was found not fit for full duty; and was forced
out on disability retirement on the grounds that she could not perform
the full time duties of her position as a letter carrier. On January 4,
2005, complainant filed the instant formal complaint.
In a final decision dated January 12, 2005, the agency dismissed the
formal complaint on the grounds of untimely EEO Counselor contact.
The agency determined that complainant's November 2004 initial EEO contact
was untimely with respect to the matters raised in her formal complaint.
The agency noted that complainant claimed that the alleged discriminatory
event occurred on August 27, 2002. The agency also noted that complainant
was approved by the Office of Personnel Management for disability
retirement by letter dated April 23, 2003, and that complainant's last
day in pay status was June 13, 2003, as reflected in PS Form 50.
The record discloses that the most recent alleged discriminatory events
occurred more than forty-five days prior to complainant's initial EEO
Counselor contact. On appeal, complainant has presented no persuasive
arguments or evidence warranting an extension of the time limit for
initiating EEO Counselor contact. Accordingly, the agency's final
decision dismissing complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the complainant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. The appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation
of material fact or law; or
2. The appellate decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,
practices, or operations of the agency.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, must be filed
with the Office of Federal Operations (OFO) within thirty (30) calendar
days of receipt of this decision or within twenty (20) calendar days of
receipt of another party's timely request for reconsideration. See 29
C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for
29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), 9-18 (November 9, 1999). All requests
and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. In the absence of a legible postmark, the
request to reconsider shall be deemed timely filed if it is received by
mail within five days of the expiration of the applicable filing period.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604. The request or opposition must also include
proof of service on the other party.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances
prevented the timely filing of the request. Any supporting documentation
must be submitted with your request for reconsideration. The Commission
will consider requests for reconsideration filed after the deadline only
in very limited circumstances. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0900)
You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United States
District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you
receive this decision. If you file a civil action, you must name as
the defendant in the complaint the person who is the official agency head
or department head, identifying that person by his or her full name and
official title. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your
case in court. "Agency" or "department" means the national organization,
and not the local office, facility or department in which you work. If you
file a request to reconsider and also file a civil action, filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)
If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot
afford the services of an attorney, you may request that the Court appoint
an attorney to represent you and that the Court permit you to file the
action without payment of fees, costs, or other security. See Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.;
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c).
The grant or denial of the request is within the sole discretion of
the Court. Filing a request for an attorney does not extend your time
in which to file a civil action. Both the request and the civil action
must be filed within the time limits as stated in the paragraph above
("Right to File A Civil Action").
FOR THE COMMISSION:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
May 6, 2005
__________________
Date